Mounting member for furniture and the like



June 9, 1953 L. G. SIMJIAN v MOUNTING MEMBER FOR FURNITURE AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1950 2 Sheets-Sheet l June 9, 1953 G. slMJlAN 2,641,310

MOUNTING MEMBER FOR FURNITURE AND THE LIKE Filed April 8, 1950 2 Sheets sheet 2 72 A /T 5a NVENTOR LUTHER SIMJIHN ATTORN EY Patented June 9, 1,*953

MOUNTING MEMBER FOR FURNITURE AND THE LIKE Luther G. Simjian, Riverside, Conn., assigner to The Reiiectone Corporation, Stamford, Conn.,a corporation of Connecticut ApplicatiOn April 8, 1950, Serial N'. 154,791

This application is a continuation in -part of my earlier application, Serial No. 121,548, filed `October 15, 1949, and now abandoned.

This invention relates to a mounting member, and more particularly to a mounting mem- -ber that is especially adapted for use in the `aS- sembly of such articles as furniture. Even more particularly, my invention relates to a mounting member in the form of a base that is particularly useful in the manufacture of any piece of furniture or similar structure having legs or other supports.

It is the particular object of my invention to contribute an extremely inexpensive mounting member especially adapted for use in articles vof furniture, but useable elsewhere, all as will be quite apparent from an examination of the specication that follows.

As a feature of my invention, I utilize a base member forming part of my mounting member and fabricated from sheet metal in an extremely novel and unusual manner whereby to yield a novel and effective structure. As a particular feature of my invention, my sheet metal base member is formed of a single sheet meta-l blank and includes a plurality of arms, each of which is at least partially channel-shaped and equipped with an end flange that is so Aparticularly related to the anges of the channel-shaped arms as to house a leg or similar structure in a most effective manner. However, because of the particular construction of each arm and the side' tribute an unstable assembly and a teeteringv structure. However, because of the construction of my invention, the arms of the base member will yield prior to assuming a rigid form, and the legs carried -by the arms will adjust themselves to the uneven floor to contribute a self-aligning assembly. n

As a more particular feature of this part of the invention, the yielding action of ea-ch arm is outwardly, so that each arm acts as a cantilever,

in effect. Moreover, the yielding by each arm is self-limiting, because of the inherent construc- 8 Claims. (Cl. 155-95) tion ofthe parts of my invention. Thereby, I obtain not only a self-aligning assembly of legs, but also a'relatively rigid assembly, once the aligning has been completed.

As a further feature of my invention, the sheet metal base member is so formed also, when fabricated, as to house ball or roller bearings on which may be mounted a superimposed bearing plate, also sheet metal, and readily and easily assembled to the base member toV form the complete mounting member tou which I have already alluded.

As a more particular feature of thispart of the invention, the legs of my structure are each adapted to carry a bearing member at the vlower end thereof to allow slipping or sliding of the legsduring the adjusting movement thereof with the arms of the basemember. Thereby, the friction between the legs and the floor is reduced to facilitate movement of the legs, as will be apparent to those skilled in the art.

.means that'will permit rotation of the table top,

chair, etc., relatively to the legs of the base member. y

I have thus outlined rather broadly the more important features of my invention in order that the detailed description thereof that follows may be better understood, and in order that my contribution to the art maybe better appreciated. There are, of course, additional features of my invention that will be described hereinafter and which will form the subject of the claims appended hereto. Those skilled in the art will ap- -preciate that the conception on 'which my disclosure isbased'may readily be utilized as a basis for the designing of other structures for carrying out the several-purposes of my invention. It is important, therefore, that the claims to be granted me shall be of sufficient breadth to prevent the appropriation of my invention by those skilled in the art.

Referring now to the drawings, Fig. 1 is a perspective view of a typical article of furniture that may be formed through the utilization of my invention. Fig. 2 is a vertical section through the article of furniture of Fig. 1, showing the -construction of my invention. Fig. 3 is an exploded view illustrating particularly the construction of each of the arms of the base member of my invention. Fig. 4 is a section taken along lines 4-4 of Fig. 2. Fig. 5 is a perspective view showing in exploded relation the several parts of my invention. Fig. 6 is a plan view of the blank from which the base member of my invention is fabricated.

Fig. '7 is an elevation showing a stool utilizing my invention applied to an uneven floor. Fig. 8 illustrates just how one of the arms of the base member of my invention yields so that the four legs of the stool of Fig. '7 adjust themselves to an uneven floor when weight is imposed 'upon'the said legs. how one of the legs is adjusted permanently relatively to a structure superimposed upon the base member of my invention. Fig. 10 is a perspective view of a table to which my invention may be applied. Fig. 11 is a section taken along lines ||I| of Fig. 10 illustrating roller means for adjusting one of the legs relatively to the table top so that the legs will conform to a fioor while the table top itself remains rotatable.

Referring now more particularly to the drawings, the mounting member of my invention comprises a base member best shown in Fig. 5, and a superimposed bearing plate also shown in Fig. 5. At this point it will be well to indicate that while I shall claim the general combination of my invention, I do consider that the construction of the base member IIJ is per se an extremely important contribution, and I shall claim the construction of this base member per se, as well as the general combination of which it is a part,

, For forming the base member I0, I utilize the blank B illustrated in Fig. 6. The dies that form the base member I0 from the blank B are so designed that in operating on the blank B they will shape the blank into that form illustrated in Fig. so that the finished base member will have a central portion I2 and a series of arms, here shown to be four in number and each designated I3. Preferably, the base surface I4 of each arm I3 will lie substantially in the plane of the central portion I2, and as is best seen in Fig. 3 as well as Fig. 5, there will extend from the base surface of each arm a pair of side flanges I5. Y

e At the end of each of the base surfaces, I4 there will extend an end flange I6 that is also well illustrated in Fig. 3. It should be particularly noted that the end flange I 6 is integral with the side anges I5 for a rather considerable distance from the base surface I4. Ordinarily, in the forming of the arms, if the general teachings of sheet metal fabrication were followed, there would be a line of separation as at -II between the side flanges I5 and the end flange I6 of each arm I3. Because of the construction of the parts as described and illustrated, it is obvious that the end nange I6 will be extremely strong and will be held securely in position through its integral relationship with the side anges I5 along lines I'I. Moreover, it will be noted that the side flange of one arm continues preferably into the side ange of the next arm, and so onI to strengthen further the entire member.

Each of the side anges I5 of each arm I3 is drilled as illustrated at 20 in Figs. 3 and 4 for the passage of a pairof oppositely related Fig. 9 is a sectional view showing just bolts 2| and 22. Bolt 22 will ltraverse the opposed bores 20 and will enter the screw-threaded bore 23 of a retaining plate 24 adapted to be positioned against one of the anges I5 while traversing also the untapped bore 26a of an opposed retaining plate 26. The other bolt 2| will traverse the bores 20 of the side flanges I5 in an opposed direction and will enter the threaded bore 25 of the plate 26, traversing also the untapped bore 24a of plate 24. If-the leg L of an article of furniture such as that shown in Fig. 1 is inserted between the side flanges I5 and against the end flanges I6 of each of the arms I3, it will readily be secured by the bolts 2|, 22 in assembled relation to the said arms I3 as well illustrated in Figs. 2 and 3. Moreover, each of the end flanges I6 wil coact with the legs L to hold them securely and in reinforced and rigid relation to the several arms I3. Further, because the sheet metal of the blank B is relatively thin and spring-like, the flanges I5 will yield under the stress of bolts 2|., 22 so as to be clamped securely :against the sides of the legs L whereby not only to holdY the legs in position, but also to resist the release rotation of the bolts 2l, 22.

It is quite obvious that the base I0 may be used as a separate device to have a series of legs L secured thereto, the term legs here being used in its broadest sense, and then to carry a table top, a chair top. or be part of any other construction desired. I do prefer, however, to use the base member I Il to support a bearing plate II, the bearing plate II to Carry thereon preferably a chair seat, altho-ugh conceivably the bearing plate I I may also hold a table top such as that adapted for a lazy Susan. v

. In order to mount the bearing plate II, the base member I0 has formed therein a groove 30 in which may be placed a series of ball bearings 37| preferably separated by a ring 32. Bearing plate I I is formed with a bearing groove 33 complementary to the bearing groove 30 whereby it may bev applied to the ball bearings 3| as well illustrated in Fig. 2. An assembly sleeve member 35 may be spun into assembled relation to the bearing plate I and base member I0 to hold the two parts as illustrated in Fig. 2, and with the ball bearings 3| securely retained in bearing relation.

If a chair top C is -now screwed to the bearing plate as-bya series of four screws 36 entering the holes 31 of the bearing plate it-will be rotatably mounted in assembledA relation to the base member I0, al1 as will be quite apparent.A Those skilled in the art will now apreciate that through the extremely simple and novel, though inexpensive, structure of the base member IIJ, I make available to the art a device that can be utilized readily for the assembly of a desirable article of furniture such as a table, chair, lazy Susan, etc. v f

In Fig. 7 the chair C is shown with its legs L applied to an uneven iioor in which there is formed a bump 50. Because'of this bump 5I), it will be seen that the chair is unstable, with one leg spaced from thefloorv ag'distance 5I. Fig. '8

shows `just what happens when a weight is ap-1 plied to the chair C, as when the chair is occupied.

At that time, one ofthe arms I3 will fiex, moving from its dash and dotted line position |35 to its upper full line position designated by reference numeral |3. This iiexingl or yielding movement is lsuiiicient toallow the entire leg structure to adjust itself to the floor, bringing allfour legs L against-the Iioor. fThe movement thus contritheir iiexed position. This part of my'invention'v is important to prevent a collapse of the lstructure. In other wor-ds, the arms will yield under a weight to allow that adjusting movement of t the legs that is necessary, but this adjusting yielding movement is self-limiting-so as to contribute a stable rigid chair. I believe that the rather important contribution of this part of my invention will vnow be: apparent toV those' skilled in the art. Y-

I To make possible the readyT exing of the leg supporting arms, the lower end of each leg carries an anti-friction dome d. This dome allows that slight sliding of any leg moving relatively to the oor during the flexing of the arm t0 which it is secured.

In Fig. 9 the base member of mytinvention is designed by reference numeral Illa to distinguish it from the base member I0 of Figs. 2 and 5. Actually, base member Illa differs from base member I9 only in that it is not equipped with a groove for carrying ball bearings. Similarly, bearing plate IIa differs from bearing plate II in that it does not have abearing groove for ball bearings, but rather is assembled to base member Illa by a simple eyelet 52. 'Ihe seat of the chair C is secured to the mounting member I la in exactly the same manner as in Fig, 2. The arms I3a of the base member Id will flex in a limited manner just exactly as do the legs I3 of the mounting member I0. However, inthe modification of Fig. 9 this flexing may be utilized in obtaining a permanent adjustment of one or more of the legs relatively to the chair or the bearing plate I I.v

For the particular purpose a wing bolt 53 is placed in threaded relation to one or more of the arms I3a, and is equipped with a thrustportion 54 adapted to bear against the bearing plate I la. The left leg in Fig. 9 is shown in dash and dotted lines in its upper unadjusted position and in solid lines in its lower adjusted position to which is has been moved by clockwise rotation of the wing bolt 53. Obviously, the left leg L and its arm I3a will be maintained in a permanently flexed position in the particular assembly illustrated in Fig. 9 so that the chair will be permanently adjusted to a particular defective floor.

It frequently becomes desirable to adjust a particular leg to a table top, while permitting rotation of the table top. For a description of this part of my invention, reference is made to Figs. and l1 wherein a table is shown equipped with a top T and a series of legs 55. Each leg 55 is secured to one of a series of resilient arms 56 forming part of a base member 5'I' that is substantially the same as the base member i0 of the first modification-and lila of the second modification. Rotatably carried by this base member 5l is a bearing member 58 to which is secured a table top T. At least one of the arms 56 of the base member 51 is preferably equipped with an extension arm 63, and carried by this extension arm 63 is a wing bolt 59 in threaded relation thereto at 6D. Moreover, the upper end of the wing bolt 59 rotatably carries a. bifurcated bracket 6l on which is mounted for rotation a roller 62. Roller 62 presses against the under side of the table T, and by rotation of the wing bolt 59 in a clockwise direction, this pressure may be increased as desired, and thereby effect the nexing of the arm 56 to which the extension arm B. 63 is fastened'. This'will; of oursgpermanently ilexlthe arm 56 soas to-adjustthe Eleg 55 to aparticular floor. This? adjustment will not pre-A ventrotation of the table top T, and this rotation is possible whileall'owing' roller 62'tofholdy arm 56 and leg 55 in" l'adjusted position. *Of' course, if desired, the wing bolt 59 could be--threaded di-l rectly onto the arm 56, allr as is quite obvious.

I believe that those-skilled in` the artwill under= stand. the value of myinv'entioni and thenature stanti'ally in said'baseplanewith opposed side anges integral with said base surface extending at substantially right angles from saidl base surface, vertically extending legs secured to each of said arms, said arms being of suchl length rela`-f tively tor said central portionv that the thin sheet metal of said base member and arms is readily ilexed by said legs to bring the lower endsof' the legs all against an uneven floor-or the` like, and said flanges acting to contribute rigidity to said base member 'andlimiting the flexing lof said arms to align the legs carriedthereb-y to anuneven oor or the like. Y f l.

2. In a combination of the classd'escribed, sheet metal base member having a` central portionand a series of leg carrying arms extending therefrom, a legsecured to each' arm said sheet metal being resilient to allow flexing of said basemember as may be necessary Yto adjust the legs carried by said arms so .that all of the/ends of the-1 legs will be' in Contact with an uneven floor when weight is applied'to rsaid base memben'a support member carried by vsaid base member, and' means extending between said support-member',

and said base member for flexing one or more of said arms relatively to the rest of sa-id base and support members.

3. In a combination of the class described, a sheet metal base member having a central portio-n and a series of leg carrying arms extending therefrom, saidl sheet metal being resilient to 'allow ilexing of said arms as may be necessary to adjust the legs carried by said arms so that all of the ends of the legs Will be in contact with an uneven floor, a support member carried by said base member, and screw threaded means extending between said support member and said base member for flexing Ione. or more of said arms.

4. In a. combination of the class described, a sheet metal base member having a central portion and a series of leg carrying armsl extending therefrom, said sheet metal being resilient to a1- low flexing of said arms as may be necessary to adjust the legs carried by said arms so that all of the ends of the legs will be in contact with an uneven floor, a support member, means rotatably mounting said support member on said base member, means extending between said support member and said base member for the flexing of the base member to adjust one or more'of said arms relatively to the rest of said base and support members, and a roller forming part of said means and bearing against said support member while allowing rotation of said support member relatively to said base member.

5. In a combination of the' class' described, a; sheet'metal lbase member formed of asingle blank of thin flexible sheet metal having a central portion and a series of arms extending there' to a floor and a load is supported on said base member.

6. In a combination, of the class described, Va

sheet metal base member formed of a single blank of thin flexible sheet metal having a central portion and a series of arms extending radially therefrom, an upper bearing member Vsecuredto` said central portion to be carried thereby, each arm having a pair of opposed side flanges integral with the base upper surface thereof whereby each arm is channel shaped, an end flange for each channeled arm formed of metalvintegral with said blank, a leg for each arm positioned between said side flanges and against said end ange, said arms being of such length relatively to said central portion as to ex said thin ilexible sheet metal when said legs are applied to a iioor and a load placed on said upper bearing member.

'7. In a combination of the class described, a sheet metal base member formed of a single blank of thin flexible sheet metal having a cen tral portion and a series of arms extending radially therefrom, the upper surfaces of said arms and said central portion lying substantially in a single pl-ane with grooves therein bottoming youtwardly of said plane, a groove in said central portion formed circularly and concentrically thereof, ball bearings in said circular groove, an upper bearing plate resting on said ball bearings. means retaining said upper bearing plate assembled to said base member with the ball bearings therebetween, a furniture part carried on said bearing plate, a leg secured to the end of each of said arms, said arms being of such length relatively to the said central portion as to flex the thin fiexble sheet metal when said legs are applied to a oor and load placed on said furniture part.

8. In a combination of the class described, a sheet metal base member formed of a single blank of thin flexible sheet metal having a central portion and a series of arms extending radially therefrom, an upper bearing member secured to said central portion to be carried thereby, each arm having a pair of opposed side anges integral with the base surface thereof whereby each arm is channel shaped, a leg for each arm positioned between said side flanges and in the channel formed thereby, said arms being of such length relatively to said central portion as tol ex said thin flexible sheet metal when said legs are applied to a oor and a load placed on said upper bearing member.

LUTHER G. SIMJIAN.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS y Engstrom Nov. 7, '0 

